FAQ: How do you register copyrights in bulk?
I am often asked how I go about registering my art with the Library of Congress.
Do I do each image individually? No – I’d go broke!
Do I do each collection separately? I used to but now I have learned the art of bulk registrations and save lots of cash each year.
Cheryl Hodgson has talked about this in several of her ask calls – you can get her first call for free by registering at www.AskCherylHodgson.com or buy the subsequent calls at www.ArtLicensingInfo.com/audio-archives.html. Attorney Sarah Feingold talks a lot about the ins and outs of copyright registration but not details about bulk registrations in her eBook, Copyrights for Artists*. Other artists’ attorneys have advised bulk registrations as well.
Here is how I register my art in groups:
I register new groups of art at the end of each quarter.
I put my art on 8/5 x 11 pages and save them as smallest size pdfs. Then I create a large pdf – sometimes 30-50 pages, and submit as a group each quarter. There are often several images per page. I submit the PDF electronically – it is currently $35 per submission and goes through much faster than submitting by mail. Go to www.copyright.gov for submission details.
The most important part of registering a lot of art at the same time is that you need to be EXTREMELY ORGANIZED. Save the pdf, print it out for backup. If you ever have an infringement issue, it is up to you to know which registration group the art in question was a part of. The kind people at the Library of Congress will not go through your files and figure it out for you.
Why do you need to register anyway? Don’t you own the copyright just by creating the art?
Yes. However, in the US, you can not take someone to court and receive damages or attorney fees for copyright infringement without having registered your art with the Library of Congress. No registration? No judge frowning at those who infringe upon your copyrights!
And it has to be the Library of Congress – websites that say they collect and date stamp your art to prove you made it and when only put money in the website owner’s pocket. It won’t protect you legally. Nor will mailing it to yourself. So spend the $35 per registration and protect yourself just in case…
I hope that helps and I wish you much success and little (if any!) copyright infringement!
– Tara Reed
P.S. Interestingly enough, the day the FAQ about registering copyrights in groups posted to my blog, I received a letter from the Library of Congress about my most recent group registration. (Funny how things happen like that sometimes.) It is a form letter explaining a few particulars and referencing some rules that pertain to registering in groups.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE LETTER FROM THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
I believe the “work not covered by copyrights” that might have prompted me to receive this letter is the inclusion of word art with my images. Words and text aren’t covered by copyrights but need to be trademarked. I admit to not always taking the time to take them out of my registrations. 
If you want to see the referenced regulations, I’m sure you can find them at www.copyright.gov
FYI – Online Copyright Registration System Upgrades mean Down Time for Submissions – plan ahead!
Yesterday I got organized and registered a batch of art with the Library of Congress. As I logged in, I saw a big red warning about system upgrades and downtime and thought I’d pass it along to all of you.
The Copyright Office is engaged in a major project to upgrade the software application that drives eService. System testing and implementation of the new software will occur over three upcoming weekends, resulting in periods during which eService will be offline. The testing and upgrade schedule is as follows:
I hope you have some system in place to regularly submit your art to the Library of Congress. Without registering your work, you are limiting your ability to defend your work against theft and unlawful use. Submitting your art to online sites that say they will confirm your deposit if there is a problem isn’t good enough. The only way to protect your work is through the US Library of Congress.
If you register online, the cost is $35 per registration and you will get your paperwork back much faster than mailing in your submissions – which costs $45 – so slower and more expensive. Do you think they want artists to embrace technology?
Attorney Cheryl Hodgson has talked about a variety of copyright related issues in her Ask Calls. If you have never heard her, go download her first call audio replay for free at www.ArtLicensingInfo.com/audio-archives.html#CherylHodgsonJuly09FreeAudio
Cheryl’s January call replay is available for $25 at www.ArtLicensingInfo.com/audio-archives.html#CherylHodgsonJan2010Audio – try getting legal advice of any help for only $25.
Cheryl will be answering more of your legal questions, copyright or otherwise, on Wednesday, August 18, 2010.
To submit your question for consideration, go to www.AskCherylHodgson.com today.
The call is free if you listen live and the replay will be available for a small fee after the call.
Protect your creative genius – register copyrights and learn the legal aspects of licensing. Here’s to your creative success!
– Tara Reed
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